LONGHI RUES CUP EXIT

JDT coach admits the going has been tough

COACH Raul Longhi admitted that it has been a problematic AFC Cup campaign for Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) as the former champions failed to advance to the zonal semi-finals for the first time since 2015.

A 3-2 win over Vietnam’s Song Lam Nghe in Tuesday’s Group H match was neither enough to secure top spot nor finish as the best second-placed team in the Asean zone.

“We have been having many issues of late. Although, we won today (Tuesday), it was not enough. The focus now is the Super League and also the Malaysia Cup,” said Longhi.

“Our aim is to win the league as it is our ride to the AFC Champions League next year.

“Our football in the opening 40 minutes today was good. I like the way we played, but not so much after that. We need to improve in defending corner kicks and free-kicks.”

Midfielder Safiq Rahim started for the first time in four matches but he could not do much despite performing well.

The former national captain was overlooked in previous matches as youngster Nazmi Faiz Mansor led JDT’s midfield against Indonesia’s Persija Jakarta (AFC Cup), PKNS and Pahang (Super League).

“I want to thank my coach for letting me play. We need to identify our shortcomings and work towards overcoming them.

“I think the defeat to Pahang in the FA Cup recently affected us. But we have to keep improving for the upcoming matches,” said Safiq.

JDT will resume their Super League campaign by taking on Kelantan in Kota Baru on Saturday.

Longhi’s side lead the league with 15 points, followed by Terengganu and Pahang on 11 each.